Roy Hodgson was in the Selhurst Park stands primarily, it is to be assumed, to observe how Danny Drinkwater would respond to his England call-up. Rather well, it transpired.

Drinkwater will earn his first cap when England face Germany and Holland next week and this display typified why. Depending how he copes with the transition to international football, there is a clear argument for making him the pivot in England’s midfield.

Reasons are there in the way he snaps into tackles, covers inordinate ground, and always looks for the early pass forward.

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That last skill might not always work, hence his relatively low pass-completion stats, but it gives Leicester an impetus that still catches defences off-guard, before they have settled into formation after ceding possession.

It was the case for the goal that settled this game, sending Leicester eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. Crystal Palace thought they had cleared immediate danger with a header out of the area.

But Drinkwater took a touch 20 yards out and fed Jamie Vardy instantly on the left on the box. Vardy took on his man then hit the ball low and hard and straight into the path of Riyad Mahrez, who ran on to hit home.

The former Manchester United man sweeps across the pitch and prompts his side's best moves

His pass into Vardy sprung the trap for the Foxes goal which star man Riyad Mahrez swept home

ENGLAND SQUAD

The 24-man squad for the friendlies with Germany (March 26) and Holland (March 29):

While Leicester’s two big names created and scored the goal it was Drinkwater’s initial input that made it possible.

Three minutes after the goal he was at it again, bursting into space on the right and exchanging a one-two with Mahrez to go clear on the right of the box. He should have shot, but elected to cross and the chance came to nothing.

There was a similar move in the 63rd minute on the other side of the pitch. Drinkwater ran at pace, exchanged passes with Mahrez but his left foot cross on byline was just too strong for Vardy at the far post.

Earlier, in the 28th minute, Drinkwater showed the other side to his game, timing a superb, stretching tackle to take the ball from Wilfried Zaha as the Palace winger looked to set off on a sprint.

All the while he would sweep across the pitch, looking for signs of danger.

England do have talented players in midfield, Dele Alli and Ross Barkley perhaps the most obvious contenders to start right now, but none is playing as influential a part as Drinkwater in a team threatening for the title.

Should he continue this form for England, a place at Euro 2016 is certain.

Drinkwater's ability going both ways will have impressed Hodgson, especially his key tackle on Wilfried Zaha

The England boss has reason to be cheerful with a number of players in form as he prepares for Euro 2016